Assistant Director / Assistant Professor of Practice in Music Business and Music Communications

Description

The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of
Tennessee invites an accomplished music industry professional and
educator to join its faculty as Assistant Director / Assistant
Professor of Practice in Music Business and Music Communications,
beginning on 1/1/2027 with flexibility for a later start date. The
successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses such as Music
Business, Music Publishing, Music Rights Management,
Marketing/Promotions, as well as courses within the candidate’s
expertise. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated
record of professional achievement in the music industry, a
commitment to student mentorship, and a vision for connecting
contemporary industry practices with impactful career-focused
academic programming.

Key responsibilities include collaborating and supporting
admissions to our BA programs in Music Business Administration,
Music Advertising & Public Relations, and Music Journalism and
Media; bridging academic concepts with practical applications
through case studies, industry-based projects, guest speakers, and
creative learning opportunities; and contributing to strategic
planning, program assessment, curriculum innovation, and
initiatives that strengthen academic quality and professional
relevance.

Working collaboratively with faculty, university leadership,
students, and industry partners, the Assistant Director will help
advance the Music Business and Music Communications programs
through curriculum development, experiential learning, internship
expansion, and sustainable organizational growth.

The ideal candidate has a background in music with demonstrated
expertise in the music industry, with experience in areas such as A
& R, Production Music, Record Label Operations, Booking
Agencies, Management, Marketing, Distribution, DSPS/Streaming
Structures, Synch/Licensing, Copyright Law, PROs/Public
Performance, MLC/Digital Mechanicals, SoundExchange/Digital
Performance, and CMOs/Neighboring Rights.

The successful candidate will be an innovative educator,
collaborative leader, and engaged industry professional who values
academic excellence, practical learning, and the development of
emerging talent. The Assistant Director will bring intellectual
curiosity, entrepreneurial initiative, cultural awareness, and a
forward-looking understanding of the music business and
communications landscape. The anticipated workload may also include
service activities relevant to these programs.

This is a full-time, non-tenure-track appointment at the rank of an
Assistant Director/ Assistant Professor of Practice, beginning
spring 2027 with flexibility for a later start date.

Web Page: www.music.utk.edu

The University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
offers a broad and comprehensive professional music program at both
the undergraduate and graduate levels and is an accredited
institutional member of the National Association of Schools of
Music. The College has approximately 65 faculty members and
approximately 400 music majors.

General Information: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the
state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for
outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As
a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning,
scholarship, and engagement with society. In all its activities,
the university aims to advance the frontiers of human knowledge and
enrich and elevate society. Knoxville’s cultural resources include
a symphony orchestra, an opera company, a professional jazz
orchestra, theatrical productions, ballet and modern dance, art
galleries, and museums. Within an hour’s drive is the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park with its scenic beauty and wide variety of
recreational activities, plants, and wildlife. The Knoxville campus
of the University of Tennessee encourages candidates who have the
ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the access and
engagement goals of the University.

Contact ahuntoon@utk.edu with any questions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent professional degree in a related

field, including but not limited to music, or commensurate
professional experience.

• National and/or international career experience in the music

industry, with evidence of an extensive industry network.

• Commitment to effective instruction and instruction methods in

relation to the business of music. Strong interpersonal and
communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Broad experience in the music industry including knowledge of

current and best practices in legal matters, label management,
publishing/licensing, distribution, and/or marketing.

• Evidence of admin or leadership experience.
• Evidence of direct mentorship and workforce development of

emerging industry professionals.

• Ability to design and implement curriculum and programs,

including online, in-person and hybrid.

• The ability to attract resources, including students,

partnerships, donors, grants or other sources of support to develop
the music business and communications programs.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin on November 4, 2026 and continue
until the position is filled. Upload letter of interest in leading
and building our programs, a list of at least 3 professional
references, curriculum vitae, and provide a document with links to
any relevant industry work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for
employment and admission without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability,
genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any
other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In
accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively
states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or
disability in its education programs and activities, and this
policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to
the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840
Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu , or by phone at 865-974-2498.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and
national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA
(disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age),
sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the
Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator
Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to
investigations@utk.edu
, or by phone at 865-974-0717.